Tien Shan: First surveys

Update from our snow leopard volunteer project to the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan

After our two training days (for this group in pretty foul weather), we were off in four groups today. Two groups checked camera traps from last year, which recorded ibex, fox, snow cock and the snow rising until it covered the lens. Another group surveyed two cells and found an ibex skull and horns, probably a victim of poaching. The site was littered with scats, one looked like wolf or snow leopard, so we collected a sample for DNA analysis to find out. The fourth group found three more ibex skulls. Poaching seems as rife as ever here. All in all an excellent first day of surveying. Well done to the team.

Update from our Kyrgyzstan expedition to the Tien Shan mountains, volunteering in snow leopard conservation.